I should’ve known something wasn’t right; something, that is, other than the fact that I was late for work. Technically I wasn’t, but I was scheduled to start my shift in about ten minutes, my drive would take about that long if I drove recklessly, and I wasn’t even close to being ready to leave the house; a house I haven’t lived in for almost twenty years. Never mind the fact that I haven’t worked there in nearly five.

Nonetheless there I was, in a partly self-induced panic. I say “partly self-induced” not because it was my fault I was going to be late, even though it sort of was because I’d simply lost track of time, but because I wasn’t going to be in any real trouble for calling in late, showing up late without calling in or even being absent for the day. It just would’ve been the first such mark on my excellent attendance record.

Not showing up for the day without calling would’ve been a big deal; they refer to that as a No Call No Show; but even that worse-case scenario wouldn’t have gotten me fired or anything like that. Besides all I had to do was call and say I couldn’t come in or say I was going to be late or just show-up late. I took pride in my near-perfect punctuality though; this is also true in real life; and didn’t want to ruin it.

I could’ve ran out of the house right then, drove fast and probably made it on time, but there was no way I was going to show up for work, around all those people; fine girls included; without at least washing my face, which wouldn’t have been a problem if I hadn’t just shaved. A full-on shower was out of the question; forget brushing my teeth; but I also wanted to wash under my arms if at possible. I simply had no time.

That is until I noticed, in what if I were a believer would’ve been an act of God, I’d gotten the time wrong. In my haste, I thought I had to be to work in about ten minutes, but another glance at the clock confirmed it was actually still 1-something, meaning I had more time than I thought. That instantly put me in manic rush mode as I rushed about, trying to cover as many of the hygienic/beauty essentials as possible.

It wasn’t until I woke up, heart still pounding and breathing heavy, that I realized it was all a dream. I was happy, or at least quite relieved, not to have to go to work today… to a job I haven’t worked in nearly five years. The house I miss though, perhaps dearly so, if only because it holds some of my most cherished childhood memories. The nostalgia is strong, but at least I get to visit it in these crazy dreams.

2024 [ April 20 ]